Concerns have been raised by the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria regarding the delay in renewing terminal operators’ licenses, impacting port operations negatively due to uncertainty.
During the 2024 Dockworkers Day event in Lagos, the President General of MWUN, Adewale Adeyanju, emphasized the importance of promptly signing the overdue licenses and urged the Federal Government to expedite the process.
Adeyanju also stressed the need for continuous training of maritime workers by terminal operators and the employment of qualified personnel.
Furthermore, Adeyanju expressed disappointment that despite significant investments in equipping Maritime University Oron, its certificates are not recognized internationally.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, highlighted ongoing efforts by the ministry and the Nigerian Ports Authority to modernize seaports and improve port infrastructure to boost efficiency and competitiveness in the global maritime industry.
Oyetola assured that the government is committed to addressing infrastructural gaps in the maritime sector to facilitate private sector participation and enhance service delivery.
Eugene Agha, President of the Shipping Correspondents Association of Nigeria (SCAN), emphasized the importance of dockworkers in leveraging the country’s marine resources for economic growth, especially with the establishment of a dedicated ministry for marine and blue economy.